Machakos Cooperative Union Limited (MCU) is a secondary level organization that was established in 1964 and registered under the Cooperative Societies Act in 1972. It is an umbrella organization for primary co-operatives and other forms of member-based organizations in Machakos and Makueni Counties. Its initials main objective was to facilitate bulking and marketing of coffee within the former larger Machakos District. As the years went by, it became necessary to incorporate other forms of farmer organizations in the union membership. This included cotton, dairy, horticulture, handicraft and multipurpose organizations. It has 115 affiliate co-operatives, out of which 69 are active and 46 dormant. The union is also working with thirty three (33) producer women groups which produce sisal baskets and diverse handicraft for the export market. The union is assisting the producer groups to market their handicraft in the local and export market. MCU area of operation covers Machakos and Makueni counties. It is currently trading internationally under World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) in marketing of handicraft. WFTO is the worldwide association which enforces adherence to the fair trade principles; fair payments for products, accountability and transparency, care for environment and non-use of child labour among others.